Key to the new CarPlay system is plugging your iPhone in to a cable in the centre console; for now the system will not connect wirelessly, although Apple appears to be working on a version that uses Bluetooth technology.

And CarPlay only works with iPhone 5 models, so don’t bother plugging in your iPhone 4 (or, for those who’ve really stretched the life of their smartphone, an iPhone 3). And devices from rival brands such as Samsung and HTC simply will not connect with CarPlay.

We test Apple's new in-car infotainment technology.

That’s not the end of functionality in the car though if you don’t have an iPhone 5. There’s still all the usual built-in audio and vehicle settings available on the colour screen that sits in the middle of the dash.

Once plugged in, a green CarPlay app appears on the colour touchscreen; once pressed it opens up a world of Apple apps.

Like an iPhone, some of the apps – such as the phone and mapping ones - automatically show up while others are specific to the phone that’s plugged in.

But not all of the apps on your phone will appear on the screen; games and other non-essential apps are for now blocked in an effort to reduce driver distractions.

But if you’ve downloaded some music apps then they will likely appear on the screen, depending on what has been approved by Apple for use within the CarPlay app.

Working your way around and between the apps is much the same as using an iPhone or iPad – it’s swiping and scrolling and pushing once you want to select something.

But CarPlay can also use the Siri function on your phone, allowing voice operation of everything from music and maps to the phone functionality.

Speaking of which, operating the phone has some restrictions. While it’s possible to send and receive text messages while driving, for example, it can only be done through voice operation; the texts will never be displayed on the screen.

That in itself could cause some misunderstandings and mistakes.

While our demonstration worked perfectly, it was being conducted by an Apple employee and given our past experiences with Siri there’s the potential for it (her?) to get things wrong.

The mapping function, though, was a winner, although – again – relied on the Siri functionality.

Searching for a nearby restaurant or tourist attraction can be done easily by voice operation, but it relies on the data being available in the maps and there’s nothing like the detail for Apple devices in Australia as there is in America.

Cleverly, the maps can also cache part of your route so that if part of it is out of mobile range it will keep serving the map images and commands even without that mobile phone data connection it relies on.

However, other apps could temporarily stop if you drop out of mobile range.

Overall, though, the CarPlay system seems to offer increased functionality and impressive connectivity with minimal fuss.

Apple CarPlay: The good

Unlocks a new world of apps for cars

Brings mapping and audio apps

Can be voice operated through Siri

Developed to minimise distractions while driving

Apple CarPlay: The bad

It only works with iPhone 5 models

You have to plug it in; for now there’s no wireless pairing

Some functions rely on having mobile phone range

The voice recognition would want to be better than some Siri functions